A sign alerting for the existence of landmines in the desert region of Tifariti, Western Sahara.

Sixteen years of fighting between Moroccan and Polisario forces, from 1975-1991, has left Western Sahara contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). During the conflict Morocco constructed a 2500 km defensive wall, known as the Berm. This earthwork fortification divides Western Sahara in two with Polisario controlling the area east of the Berm and Morocco controlling the area to the west. The barrier minebelt that runs alongside the berm is believed to be the longest continuous minefield in the world.

Survey work undertaken by Landmine Action (the only organization dealing with the problem in Western Sahara) has revealed that civilian settlements throughout the Polisario controlled area are also affected by mines and items of unexploded ordnance, including cluster munitions.

Landmine and ERW contamination hinders safe movement throughout Western Sahara for the local population and United Nations observers. Landmine Action has documented instances of mine laying along roads and tracks and at water points. Whilst this problem persists the almost 200,000 Saharawi refugees currently residing in camps in Algeria will be unable to safely return to Western Sahara and the conflict will remain frozen.

The overall objective of this programme is to develop a Saharawi capacity that is capable of responding to the landmine and ERW threat in the region. This will help to facilitate the safe return of displaced Saharawis in Algeria and will enable the resident population and UN peacekeepers to travel safely within the country.

Since the beginning of the conflict thousands of Saharawi civilians have been victims of this engines, with accidents happening almost every week. The most recent case occurred during a peaceful protest against the Moroccan wall. The blast occurred when the five victims were attempting to approach the wall by clearing a path through a barbed wire barrier that surrounds it. Ibrahim Hussein Abait, from the Saharawi refugee camp of Dakhla, suffered the gravest injury, losing his left foot in the explosion.

Ibrahim is now one of the new residents of the Landmine and War victims centre in Rabouni refugee camp, the only hospital capable to treat and provide assistance to victims and families in the all Western Sahara.

A model of the 2500 km fortification (Berm) build by Morocco to defend and delimitate the occupied territory of Western Sahara.

A guide from the war museum, near Rabouni refugee Camp, shows the remnants of a cluster bomb used by the Moroccan troops during the war against the Polisario Front.

A young Saharawi looks at a display of all types of landmines 'planted' throughout the Western Sahara territory.

A Landmine Action team cleaning an area suspected to be infested with landmines, in the liberated territory near Tifariti.

Some of the equipment used by Landmine Action during the localization of explosive objects.

 

 

 

Several types of explosive objects waiting to be safely destroyed by a specialized team.

 

 

 

Ahmed, a Polisario fighter, handling a rocket shell found on the ground near the Berm.

 

 

 

A landmine victim outside a medical centre near Rabouni refugee camp.

 

 

 

Ibrahim Hussein Abait, a Saharawi landmine victim, arriving at the medical centre of Rabouni.

 

 

 

A Saharawi man who lost his fingers during an accident with a landmine.

 

 

 

A landmine victim in a hospital bed in the medical centre for war and landmine victims, near Rabouni.

 

 

 

The view of a small room in the medical centre of Rabouni.

 

 

 

A man walking by with the medical centre for war and landmine victims.